Marketing your compounding pharmacy in the digital space is no longer an option — it’s a necessity. Skilled freelancers can help you get started or expand your digital footprint by providing compelling written content, engaging designs or strategic social media management. But how do you know you’re hiring the right professionals for the job? Ask these essential questions during the interview process.

Questions to Ask Freelance Writers & Designers

1. Do you have experience working in the healthcare or pharmacy industry?

   It’s crucial that the freelance writer possesses excellent writing skills, versatile writing styles and the ability to translate medical jargon into plain language for the general public. It’s also important that a writer understands regulatory requirements, such as avoiding making claims and HIPAA privacy laws.

   Similarly, designers with experience in the pharmacy or healthcare sector likely have a good grasp of how to communicate visually with your audience. They understand the nuances of designing for providers and patients.

2. Can you provide a link to your digital portfolio?

   Reviewing a writer’s online portfolio offers insight into their writing style, quality of content and versatility. Look for styles that range from conversational to professional to formal so you know the writer can accommodate your specific needs.

   Reviewing a designer’s online portfolio shows their design style, diversity and versatility. Some designers specialize in website design, while others’ design skills may range from creating banner ads to digital presentations. A designer’s online portfolio can also reveal how well they visually represent their work in a digital environment.

3. Do you charge by the project or by the hour? What is your anticipated timeframe for project completion?

   It’s extremely important to establish financial expectations during the interview. Some freelancers prefer charging a set fee for a specific project, while others prefer to charge by the hour. Some require partial payment before starting the job or complete payment before they submit their final work. It’s also important for you to ask about timeframes for project completion. In addition to helping you and the freelancer establish workable deadlines, it can also help you plan and stay within your marketing budget.

4. How many edits and revisions are included in the project’s cost?

   This is an often overlooked question that can lead to an unexpected increase in cost. Professional writers and designers understand that several iterations may be required before the content is finalized. Some limit edits and revisions to a specific amount before adding charges, while others have no limits and no additional cost. Either way, you should ask and know before hiring.

5. What is your availability and communication preference?

   Understanding a freelancer's availability will help you align your expectations regarding deadlines. Knowing their communication preferences helps to ensure collaboration is smooth and efficient.

Questions to Ask Social Media Managers

1. Do you have experience managing healthcare or pharmacy-related social media accounts?

   Similar to writers and designers, social media managers with a background in healthcare or pharmacy are aware of the many regulations, whether state or federal, that impact our industry. They also understand the unique challenges and opportunities in engaging with a healthcare audience, including the general public and healthcare prescribers.

2. What strategies do you use to engage the local community, build trust and boost brand recognition?

   For compounding pharmacies, it’s especially important to establish relationships within your community to increase awareness of your practice and foster trust. A good social media manager should have strategies that drive these connections digitally and recommendations for which social media platforms best serve your community and target markets.

3. What metrics do you use to measure success and how do you use data to improve performance?

   Effective social media management is data driven. A skilled manager should make recommendations on which data-collection app would best serve your pharmacy and staff. The social media manager should also track specific metrics that align with your business goals and use these insights to refine and continually improve your social media strategy and content.

4. Using data, can you provide examples of how you’ve helped improve engagement and recognition?

   Experienced social media managers are comfortable sharing their success. Since social media is data driven, expect to see graphs, charts and other indicators that visually represent increases in user engagement over months and years. This is also a great time to ask what new strategies, such as paid advertisements on social media platforms, were employed.

5. What is your availability and communication preference?

   Understanding a freelancer's availability will help you align your expectations regarding deadlines. Knowing their communication preferences helps to ensure collaboration is smooth and efficient.

   PCCA members may access handy marketing tools and helpful “how to” videos on our Marketing Resources page, as well as view the “Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media Marketing” on PCCA Play.